January is CNMI Crime Stoppers Month

Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed a proclamation declaring January as Crime Stoppers Month, on Tuesday, as part of the efforts to promote crime prevention and reduction in the CNMI.

At the same time, Babauta signed into law Senate Bill 14-33, which seeks to protect the rights of individuals who provide confidential information to Crime Stoppers.

The measure sets up a criminal penalty for the unlawful release of any confidential information that is provided to Crime Stoppers.

“This measure will therefore help to ensure that individuals can continue to provide confidential information to appropriate law enforcement agencies so that crimes can be solved,” said Babauta.

The NMI Crime Stoppers program is run by a civilian board of directors for the sole reason of providing the public a way to report confidential information without disclosing their identity.

The organization, which began in 1989, awards informants if their information leads to the arrest and conviction of offenders.

Crime Stoppers said it has helped in the arrest of numerous criminals, recovered tens of thousands of dollars in stolen property, and taken millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs off CNMI streets.

Right now, Crime Stoppers is focused on solving 21 crimes.

“For 2005, we are asking each CNMI resident to take the initiative in reducing crime in the CNMI. Help men and women at the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies put criminals behind bars before they affect your way of life,” reads a portion of the proclamation.

Individuals can call Crime Stoppers hotline 234-7272 (PARA) to report on any crime.

Crime Stoppers said that, although most of the calls received are related to drugs, burglaries, and robberies, people are free to report other offenses such as domestic violence, child abuse, fraud, crimes committed against private businesses and government agencies.

In approving Senate Bill 14-33, Babauta said that the new law, now known as Public law 14-47, provides a procedural mechanism to any person arrested or charged with a criminal offense to have a judicial review of confidential information relating to his or her prosecution to determine if the constitutional rights of such a person mandate the disclosure of information.

This, he said, would not hinder the strict confidential nature of the information or identity of persons who report to Crime Stoppers.

“The administration fully supports the Crime Stoppers and will provide all necessary administrative, procedural, and legal tools that the DPS and other law enforcement agencies require to reduce the incidence of crime in the Commonwealth and provide a safer environment for our people,” said Babauta.

The measure was authored by Sen. Paterno Hocog.